We bought a GelPro mat a little over a year ago. Oh boy, it was great when we first got it. However, eventually the edges start to curl up, and now ours is full of little holes and slits. There are only 2 in our household. I cannot stand on it in bare feet or I get little cuts. Somehow I think if you buy an "industrial" mat for a hundred bucks -- and you do not happen to be a "commercial" kitchen -- the darned thing should last almost forever. I'm pretty disgusted and disappointed!

When did the slits/holes appear? If it was within the first year, then you could have exchanged it under their 1 year warranty. Of course, now it's probably too late - but it doesn't hurt to ask them I suppose... Their number is 1-866-435-6287

When did the slits/holes appear? If it was within the first year, then you could have exchanged it under their 1 year warranty. Of course, now it's probably too late - but it doesn't hurt to ask them I suppose

It began to curl up on the edges during the year's warranty (but this was not considered to be any kind of defect) -- and I'd say the HOLES appeared about 6 months after the warranty was up. Have talked to the company, and they are not too helpful -- at least not when we called them. We were sort of surprised to find that they had little concern about the mats past the first year. I'd think, given the price, they'd be a little more interested!

I had a mat for about a year and the edge started to curl. I called GelPro and they were great about it. They replaced my mat for free. They indicated that some of the older mats would do that, but the newer ones shouldn't have the problem. However, they said that if they did, they'd replace them for free.

Get a pair of birkinstocks to wear inside the house, including your kitchen. I had back and hip problems, and a heel spur, and finally bought a pair as an experiment. They are too ugly to wear outside of the house, but they are super comfortable.

I believe they cured the heel spur completely, after wearing them for awhile. They give incredible support to your back, legs, and hips because of how they support your feet and body. They look uncomfortable, but actually become very comfortable. THey are also cool, as they are open sandals. They are better than going barefoot. Going barefoot is actually not the best for your back and feet. You start having bad posture, which in turn affects your back posture, getting it out of alignment and causing huge problems. Birkinstocks keep your spine more in alignment.

They also give your feet exercise as you walk around in them, because of their construction and how you grip with your toes to walk in them.

I have one ugly pair that I have had for several years now. They don't wear out, and as I said I only wear them inside the house.

We've had our mats since Christmas 2009. That's all we requested from our kids. We've got a 24"x36" one in front of the stove and a 24"x72" that extends from where the other one leaves off under the counter to the wall (in front of the sink), resulting in an L-shape. I am very overweight, and though I wear shoes when I cook, the mats are necessary to provide relief from pain after long cooking-and-cleaning episodes.
We've not had any cutting or curling; they clean easily; but without a textile rug in front of the sink (over the mat), water drops land and track through the kitchen.
However, at this time, we love our mats.

Working in professional kitchens I have come to love Crocs for inexpensive foot support and protection in the kitchen. I have a pair at home for use specifically in the kitchen - these are not "outside shoes", but considered more like slippers and live in the kitchen. For $40CDN these have been simply perfect in every way. There is a model designed for chefs, with closed toes, sides, and heels that I use and highly recommend.

If you have more money to spare, I also hear great things of Birkenstocks from co-chefs.

If you have even more money, or simply must cook in socks or barefoot, then these gel pads sound good. Personally I feel they make a kitchen more dangerous due to changing floor surfaces increasing the potential for a slip when you step a socked foot onto a slippery floor.

Thanks for such a nice website, I've been reading here for a long long time.